Ballet Chronicle
New York: Horizon Press, 1970.
A definitive Association Copy of Haggin's massive history of the New York City Ballet, originating from the personal archive of the publisher.
This volume serves as the primary critical and visual record of the Balanchine era (1947–1969), documented through Haggin's fierce, uncompromising prose and 250 stunning action photographs. As the personal copy of Horizon Press founder Ben Raeburn, this specimen represents the 'birth' of one of the most significant dance books of the 20th century. It is a vital artifact of mid-century American publishing, capturing the moment when Balanchine’s aesthetic was codified into a permanent historical record.
KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Features 250 high-quality action photographs capturing the New York City Ballet during its 'Golden Age'.
+++ Binding: Original publisher’s cloth; tight, square, and clean.
+++ Imprint: Horizon Press, New York, 1970.
+++ Specs: Quarto; 10.25 inches tall; 223 pages.
+++ Design: A massive, meticulously designed volume intended to serve as a 'manifesto' of Balanchine’s modernist ballet.
+++ Provenance: From the private estate of Ben Raeburn, founder and publisher of Horizon Press. This copy was held within the Raeburn archive since its publication in 1970.
CONDITION: Near Fine in a Very Good Jacket.
+++ The Book: The bindings are tight, clean, and square with minimal shelf wear. The internal pages are exceptionally well-preserved, showing none of the typical thumbing found in reference copies.
+++ The Jacket: The dust jacket remains present with the original $17.50 price and the early sale price intact. The white panels show moderate age-toning and light handling wear, now in a new Mylar protective sleeve.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
B.H. Haggin was perhaps the most formidable and feared critic of his era. His 'Ballet Chronicle' was not merely a history; it was a curated argument for the superiority of the Balanchine aesthetic over traditional classical forms.
While the book captures the same era explored in documentaries like 'Balanchine' (2004), it remains the primary source-text for the critical history of the New York City Ballet.
SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Balanchine Advocacy: Documents Haggin's role as the primary critical voice for George Balanchine, framing the development of the NYC Ballet as a revolutionary movement in American art.
+++ Photographic Record: Serves as a primary visual census of mid-century dance, including rare action shots of Jerome Robbins and other foundational figures.
SUBJECTS: George Balanchine, NYC Ballet, Dance History, Horizon Press, Ben Raeburn, Publisher's Archive, Jerome Robbins, Dance History, 1970s Art Books.
Item #21918
ISBN: 0818004029
Price: $54.00
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